VACANCY - Doctoral Researcher (100%) – imec.prospect PADRE

Our latest project focuses on designing human-centered technology that supports lifelong learning. It is centered around two main technologies (i.e., in-ear EEG and hand tracking) to foster training and on-the-job support in various sectors including surgery, chemical and semiconductor industry. With a strong multidisciplinary consortium of research groups and industrial partners, the first steps in this endeavor will be performed.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

You will play a major role in conceptualizing, co-creating, conducting and reporting experiments to help develop, design and validate these technologies.

More specifically, you will:

• Co-create and define use-cases to explore and improve the new technologies.
• Explore the possibilities of in-ear EEG for operator monitoring within the specific use cases.
• Design and conduct experiments aimed at testing and validating the new operator monitoring technologies.
• Execute UX research with (potential) end users.
• Collaborate with industrial and research partners.
• Share research outcomes within and outside the project consortium via partner networks, events, blogs, academic journals, and conferences.
• Contribute to the day-to-day operations of imec-mict-UGent and the department of Communication Sciences.

In parallel, you will work toward a PhD degree on this topic.

WHO YOU ARE

• You hold a Master’s degree in Psychology, Engineering, Communication Sciences, Human-Computer Interaction, Educational Sciences or related discipline.
• You have a strong interest in technology and research, with a particular interest in UX, human-technology interaction and AI.
• You have minimal experience with experimental design for studies involving human subjects.
• You have a strong interest in and/or experience with quantitative research methods, including psycho-physiological and behavioral measures and advanced statistical (and/or machine learning) methods.
• You have a high level of proficiency in English (both written and verbal).
• You have strong communication and teamwork skills and can operate effectively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• You are an enthusiastic and creative team player with strong networking, communication and reporting skills who likes to work in a team of imec and UGent researchers, PhD students and industrial researchers as you will have frequent interactions with research and industrial partners and end-users.
• You work autonomously and well-organized, with a good attention to detail. You take initiative and you set high standards in everything you do.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• A full-time doctoral scholarship for a maximum period of four years. You will be offered an initial one-year contract, followed by an evaluation. If the evaluation is favorable, the contract will be extended for another three years.
• Your appointment can start no earlier than January 1st, 2026.
• Your full-time monthly scholarship will be calculated according to the terms and conditions of employment for doctoral scholarship holders. More information about Ghent University's salary scales can be found at https://www.ugent.be/nl/vacatures/salarisschalen.
• You are entitled to 36 days of vacation per year, supplemented by annually fixed bridge days and statutory and decreed public holidays. In addition, you are at home between Christmas and New Year's Day, replacing the public holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
• You will enjoy a number of benefits offered by Ghent University (such as a wide range of training courses, reimbursement of your commuting expenses by public transport, and eco vouchers). For a complete overview of the staff benefits at Ghent University, see http://www.ugent.be/nl/vacatures/personeelsvoordelen.htm.
• You will be part of a constructive working environment that offers plenty of opportunities for further development and training, including the possibility of taking courses at the Doctoral Schools.
• You will work in the heart of Ghent in the ‘De Krook’ building, a place where knowledge, creativity, and entrepreneurship take center stage.

INTERESTED?

Applications must be sent by email to jobs.mict@ugent.be no later than October 31st, 2025.

Specifically, we expect:

• A cover letter: your application letter in pdf format
• A detailed resume
• A copy of your diplomas
• A scan of your individual study results for all academic years
• A document demonstrating your writing skills (e.g., a paper, a thesis)

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the project, please contact Prof. dr. Klaas Bombeke (Klaas.Bombeke@UGent.be) or Jonas De Bruyne (Jonas.DeBruyne@UGent.be).

More information about the EMULab cluster